Preview Barrons SAT by Ira Wolf, Brian W. Stewart, Sharon Weiner Green (2017)

Preview Barrons SAT by Ira Wolf, Brian W. Stewart, Sharon Weiner Green (2017) Preview Barrons SAT by Ira Wolf, Brian W. Stewart, Sharon Weiner Green (2017) Preview Barrons SAT by Ira Wolf, Brian W. Stewart, Sharon Weiner Green (2017) Preview Barrons SAT by Ira Wolf, Brian W. Stewart, Sharon Weiner Green (2017) Preview Barrons SAT by Ira Wolf, Brian W. Stewart, Sharon Weiner Green (2017)

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Go to http://barronsbooks.com/tp/sat/ejs29zb/ to take a free sample SAT test, complete with answer explanations and automated scoring *These online tests can be accessed on most mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones DEDICATION In memory of Mitchel Weiner and Samuel Brownstein, who first brought college entrance test preparation to the high school students of America S.W.G To Elaine, my wife and best friend, for all of your support and love I.K.W To Caitlin, Andrew, and Eloise for all of your love and support B.W.S ABOUT THE AUTHORS Sharon Green started helping prepare students for the PSAT and SAT as a 13-year-old assistant at her father’s college entrance tutoring course; she has never stopped since A National Merit Scholar, she holds degrees from Harvard College, New York University School of Education, and the University of California at Berkeley Her test preparation books, all published by Barron’s, run the gamut from the California High School Proficiency Examination to the GRE Whenever she can dig her way out from under multiple dictionaries, Sharon enjoys folk dancing, reading Jane Austen and science fiction, and watching Little League baseball Dr Ira Wolf has had a long career in math education In addition to teaching math at the high school level for several years, he was a professor of mathematics at Brooklyn College and the Director of the Mathematics Teacher Preparation program at SUNY Stony Brook Dr Wolf has been helping students prepare for college entrance exams, including the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests in Math for more than 35 years He is the founder and former president of PowerPrep, a test preparation company on Long Island that has helped several thousand high school students prepare for the SAT Brian W Stewart is the founder and president of BWS Education Consulting, Inc., a boutique tutoring and test preparation company based in Columbus, Ohio His company has worked with thousands of students from all over the world to help them improve their test scores and earn admission to selective schools Brian earned his A.B in Philosophy at Princeton University and his Master’s in Education at The Ohio State University He is also the author of Barron’s ACT, Barron’s Strategies and Practice for the PSAT/NMSQT, and Barron’s New SAT Reading Workbook You can connect with Brian at www.bwseducationconsulting.com © Copyright 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008 by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc Previous editions © copyright 2006, 2005, 2001, 1998, 1997, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1989, 1987, 1986, 1984, 1982, 1980, 1978, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1969, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1962, 1958, 1955, 1954 by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., under the titles How to Prepare for the SAT, How to Prepare for the SAT I, and How to Prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test All rights reserved No part of this work may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner All inquiries should be addressed to: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc 250 Wireless Boulevard Hauppauge, NY 11788 www.barronseduc.com eISBN: 978-1-4380-6507-6 Revised eBook publication: August 2017 Contents Preface SAT Format and Test Dates Countdown to the SAT Acknowledgments PART ONE: GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE SAT Introduction: Let’s Look at the SAT What Is the SAT? What Is Score Choice? What Is the Format of the SAT? The Reading Test The Writing and Language Test The Math Test The Optional Essay Winning Tactics for the SAT Practice, Practice, Practice: Online Resources PART TWO: PINPOINT YOUR TROUBLE SPOTS A Diagnostic Test Diagnostic Test Score Analysis PART THREE: THE SAT READING TEST The Evidence-Based Reading Test Quick Overview Testing Tactics Practice Exercises Build Your Vocabulary The Master Word List PART FOUR: THE SAT WRITING AND LANGUAGE TEST The Evidence-Based Writing and Language Test SAT Writing and Language Test Overview SAT Grammar Review Quantitative Graph Analysis 13 SAT Writing Strategies Putting It All Together Practice Passages SAT Essay What Is the SAT Essay? How Is This Chapter Organized? Sample Prompt Sample Response Reading Skill Building Analysis Skill Building Writing Skill Building Ten Key Strategies for SAT Essay Writing Success Putting It All Together Sample Essays Sample Essay Prompts with Sample Top-Scoring Responses PART FIVE: THE SAT MATH TEST Introduction to the Math Test Math Strategies and Tactics Testing Tactics Practice Exercises Reviewing Mathematics Arithmetic 6-A Basic Arithmetic Concepts 6-B Fractions and Decimals 6-C Percents 6-D Ratios and Proportions 6-E Averages Algebra 6-F Polynomials 6-G Solving Equations and Inequalities 6-H Word Problems Geometry 6-I Lines and Angles 6-J Triangles 6-K Quadrilaterals and Other Polygons 6-L Circles 6-M Solid Geometry 6-N Coordinate Geometry Data Analysis 6-O Interpretation of Data Miscellaneous Topics 6-P Counting and Probability 6-Q Sequences 6-R Functions and Their Graphs 6-S Trigonometry 6-T Imaginary and Complex Numbers PART SIX: TEST YOURSELF Model Test Model Test Model Test Model Test Preface I n writing this edition of Barron’s SAT, which incorporates all of the changes to the SAT that were implemented by the College Board in 2016, we have aimed to give you the advantages on the SAT that the students we tutor and teach in classes have enjoyed for decades Therefore, we’d like you to think of this study guide as your personal SAT tutor, because that’s precisely what it is Like any good tutor, it will work closely with you, prompting you and giving you pointers to improve your testing skills It will help you pinpoint your trouble spots and show you how to work on them, and it will point out your strengths as well After working with your tutor, you should see marked improvement in your performance Your personal tutor will be available to work with you whenever you like, for as long or short a time as you like Working with your tutor, you can go as quickly or as slowly as you like, repeating sections as often as you need, skipping over sections you already know well Your tutor will give you explanations, not just correct answers, when you make mistakes, and will be infinitely patient and adaptable ONLINE You can access two additional practice tests and online vocabulary flash cards at: http://barronsbooks.com/tp/sat/ejs29zb/ Here are just a few of the things your tutor offers you: It takes you step by step through thousands of reading, writing and language, and mathematical questions, showing you how to solve them and how to avoid going wrong It offers you dozens of clear-cut Testing Tactics and shows you how to use them to attack every question type you will find on the SAT It enables you to simulate actual testing conditions, providing you with a diagnostic test and four model tests—all with answers fully explained—each of which follows the format of the SAT If you’re on the move and don’t have your book with you, you can access two additional practice tests online These tests provide you with timed conditions and fully explained answers It provides a comprehensive review of all the math topics you need to know to well on the SAT It thoroughly prepares you for the Writing and Language section and the optional Essay With step-by-step lessons on English grammar and essay analysis, informational graphics drills, and sample essay prompts accompanied by a range of sample student responses, you have the tools to approach these sections with total confidence It gives you Barron’s Master Word List, your best chance to acquaint yourself with the whole range of college-level vocabulary you will face on the SAT It even gives you access to the word list in the form of online flash cards Test your vocabulary on your tablet or on your smartphone, at home or on the go No other book offers you as much Your personal tutor embodies Barron’s ongoing commitment to provide you with the best possible coaching for the SAT and every other important test you take It has benefited from the dedicated labors of Linda Turner and other members of the editorial staff of Barron’s, all of whom wish you the best as you settle down with your tutor to work on the SAT SAT Format and Test Dates SAT Format Total Time: Hours, plus 50 minutes for the Optional Essay Section 1: Reading 52 Questions Time—65 minutes Section 2: Writing and Language 44 Questions Time—35 minutes Section 3: Math, No Calculator 20 Questions Time—25 minutes Section 4: Math, Calculator 38 Questions Time—55 minutes Optional Essay Question Time—50 minutes Reading Passages, including paired passage Passages 15 Multiple Choice, Grid-in 30 Multiple Choice, Grid-in Write an essay analyzing how the author of a given passage has made his or her argument Evaluated on reading, analysis, and writing Note that the SAT will no longer offer a January test administration An August test date is now available You can register for the SAT at sat.collegeboard.org SAT Test Dates Registration Deadlines Test Dates 2017–2018 School Year* October 7, 2017 November 4, 2017 December 2, 2017 March 10, 2018 May 5, 2018 June 2, 2018 Regular Late 2018–2019 School Year* August 25, 2018 October 6, 2018 November 3, 2018 December 1, 2018 March 9, 2019 May 4, 2019 June 1, 2019 *As of press time, exam dates for the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 school years are approximate Check collegeboard.org periodically to confirm the anticipated test dates and the registration and late registration deadlines Countdown to the SAT The day before you take the test, don’t practice tests Do look over all the tactics listed below so they will be fresh in your mind BEFORE THE TEST If the test location is unfamiliar to you, drive there before the test day so that you will know exactly where you’re going on the day you take the test Set out your test kit the night before You will need your admission ticket, a photo ID (a driver’s license or a non-driver picture ID, a passport, or a school ID), your calculator, four or five sharpened No pencils (with erasers), plus a map or directions showing how to get to the test center Get a good night’s sleep so you are well rested and alert Wear comfortable clothes Dress in layers Bring a sweater in case the room is cold Bring an accurate watch—not one that beeps and not your cell phone—in case the room has no clock You’ll want to use the same watch or small clock that you’ve been using during your practice sessions Bring a small snack for quick energy Don’t be late Allow plenty of time for getting to the test site You want to be in your seat, relaxed, before the test begins Pick your favorite letter from among A, B, C, and D This is the letter you will always use when you have to make a quick guess DURING THE TEST Pace yourself Don’t work so fast that you start making careless errors On the other hand, don’t get bogged down on any one question Feel free to skip back and forth between questions within a section Play the percentages: always eliminate as many of the answer choices as possible and then make an educated guess, not a random one If you have no idea, quickly guess your favorite letter and move on If you are running out of time in a section, use your last 20 seconds to fill in your favorite letter on every question you didn’t get to Watch out for eye-catchers, answer choices that are designed to tempt you into guessing wrong Change answers only if you have a reason for doing so; don’t change them on a last-minute hunch or whim Check your assumptions Make sure you are answering the question asked and not the one you thought was going to be asked Remember that you are allowed to write anything you want in your test booklet Make full use of it Do math calculations and draw diagrams Underline key words in reading passages Cross out answer choices you are sure are wrong Circle questions you want to come back to, but first make a guess Be careful not to make any stray marks on your answer sheet The test is graded by a machine, and a machine cannot always tell the difference between an accidental mark and an intentionally filled-in answer Check frequently to make sure you are answering the questions in the right spots Remember that you don’t have to attempt every question to well Just be sure to fill in answers for every question you don’t attempt TIPS FOR THE EVIDENCE-BASED READING QUESTIONS Read all the answer choices before you decide which is best Think of a context for an unfamiliar word; the context may help you come up with the word’s meaning Break down unfamiliar words into recognizable parts—prefixes, suffixes, roots Consider secondary meanings of words If none of the answer choices seems right to you, take another look A word may have more than one meaning When you have a choice, tackle reading passages with familiar subjects before passages with unfamiliar ones Make use of the introductions to acquaint yourself with the text Read as rapidly as you can with understanding, but not force yourself As you read the opening sentence, try to predict what the passage is about When you tackle the questions, use any line references given to help in the passage Base your answer only on what is written in the passage, not on what you know from other books or courses In answering questions on the paired reading passages, first read one passage and answer the questions based on it; then read the second passage and tackle the remaining questions On graph analysis questions, take time to evaluate the graph labels and axes Be mindful that you will often need to integrate information from the reading passage with what is presented in the graph The vocabulary in context questions typically involve unusual meanings of words you know—be sure you read enough of the text in which the word appears so that you’ll be able to figure exactly how the word is being used in the passage If you notice that a question is immediately followed by a second question that asks which lines in the passage provide evidence supporting your answer to the first question, don’t waste time going over the second question’s answer choices Instead, as you answer the first question, note where you found the evidence supporting your answer choice Mark the lines with an asterisk, or set them in brackets Then answer the second question Do not hesitate to come back to questions if you are unsure; a question that initially seems confusing will often be far easier when you consider it a second time TIPS FOR THE MATHEMATICS QUESTIONS Whenever you know how to answer a question directly, just it The tactics that are reviewed below should be used only when you need them Memorize all the formulas you need to know Even though some of them are printed on the first page of each math section, during the test you not want to waste any time referring to that reference material Be sure to bring a calculator for use on the long math section, but use it only when you need it Don’t use it for simple arithmetic that you can easily in your head Remember that no problem requires lengthy or difficult computations If you find yourself doing a lot of arithmetic, stop and reread the question You are probably not answering the question asked Answer every question you attempt Even if you can’t solve it, you can almost always eliminate two or more choices Often you know that an answer must be negative, but two or three of the choices are positive, or an answer must be even, and some of the choices are odd Unless a diagram is labeled “Note: Figure not drawn to scale,” it is perfectly accurate, and you can trust it in making an estimate When a diagram has not been provided, draw one, especially on a geometry problem If a diagram has been provided, feel free to label it, and mark it up in any way, including adding line segments, if necessary Answer any question for which you can estimate the answer, even if you are not sure you are correct Don’t panic if you see a strange symbol in a question; it will always be defined Getting the correct answer just involves using the information given in the definition When a question involves two equations, the most useful thing to is to add them or subtract them If there are three or more, just add them Never make unwarranted assumptions Do not assume numbers are positive or integers If a question refers to two numbers, not assume that they have to be different If you know a figure has four sides, not assume that it is a rectangle Be sure to work in consistent units If the width and length of a rectangle are inches and feet, respectively, either convert the feet to 24 inches or the inches to two-thirds of a foot before calculating the area or perimeter Standard Multiple-Choice Questions Whenever you answer a question by backsolving, start with choice (C) When you replace variables with numbers, choose easy-to-use numbers, whether or not they are realistic Choose appropriate numbers The best number to use in percent problems is 100 In problems involving fractions, the best number to use is the least common denominator When you have no idea how to solve a problem, eliminate all of the absurd choices before you guess Remember, you should provide an answer to each and every question Guess if you have to Bubble in an answer to every question Student-Produced Response (Grid-in) Questions Write your answer in the four spaces at the top of the grid, and carefully grid in your answer below No credit is given for a correct answer if it has been gridded improperly Remember that the answer to a grid-in question can never be negative You can never grid in a mixed number—you must convert it to an improper fraction or a decimal Never round off your answers If a fraction can fit in the four spaces of the grid, enter it If not, use your calculator to convert it to a decimal (by dividing) and enter a decimal point followed by the first three decimal digits When gridding a decimal, not write a zero before the decimal point If a question has more than one possible answer, grid in only one of them There is no penalty for wrong answers on grid-in questions, so you should grid in anything that seems reasonable, rather than omit a question TIPS FOR THE EVIDENCE-BASED WRITING AND LANGUAGE QUESTIONS This section is all about your essay-editing skills To edit well, you must take your time Fortunately, this section is generally easy to finish So use the full amount of time allowed, taking about minutes per passage Silently mouth out the wording to pick up on errors Even though you may not know the “official” grammar rule, hearing what sounds best can help you figure out the correct option Build your skills and confidence by reviewing the SAT grammar topics in Chapter Grammar “pet peeves” will not be tested, but grammar rules will Be on the lookout for some of the most common issues (punctuation, wordiness, verb tense, parallelism, subject–verb agreement, misplaced modifiers, logical comparisons, and diction/proper word usage) Jumping to an answer without considering enough context will not work —the incorrect answers will be very tempting If, however, you are having trouble determining what concept the question is testing, narrow down the likely issue by reviewing the answer choices to see what is different among them “No Change” has just as much of a chance of being correct as does any other option On graph interpretation questions, use only the evidence in the graph and the passage No background knowledge will be required Carefully review the graph labels and axes to avoid making careless mistakes Many questions go beyond simple grammar to assess broader writing topics, like paragraph transitions, essay introductions, and argumentative evidence As you work through the questions, be ready to shift gears between focused proofreading and general editing Sometimes you will need only a sentence to answer the question, while other times you will need a paragraph or more When in doubt, check it out TIPS FOR THE ESSAY The essay prompt will not change from test to test—you will always be asked to explain how the author of a source text has made an argument The source text will change from test to test, but it will always be a broad argument for a general audience Do NOT insert your personal opinions on the topic into your response Your job is to examine the author’s argument, not to give your views on the subject Do NOT waste time writing about supposed flaws in the source text These are very well-written arguments Your job is to analyze them, not to rip them apart Start by taking several minutes (no more than 10) to read and take notes on the source text Ask yourself what the author is arguing and why he or she has chosen to make that argument Take time to prewrite (no more than minutes) Plan to show how the author makes use of evidence, reasoning, and style to make his or her case Start with a solid thesis, and use clear transitions and excellent organization throughout Have variety in your sentence structure; use precise vocabulary and specific descriptions Write for the full 50 minutes The essay comes last in the test—finish strong, drawing on your last reserves of energy A longer essay (as long as it has well-written, focused material) will score better Write legibly—the graders are human They can grade only what they can understand Watch out for spelling and grammar issues However, don’t spend so much time proofreading that you fail to develop your essay fully Pace yourself so that you can make all of your points and have a strong conclusion This essay is very different from many you likely have written —don’t let test day be the first time you try writing an SAT essay within the time constraints Acknowledgments The following are texts/passages included in this book: A Handbook to Literature by C Hugh Holman Copyright © 1995 by Prentice Hall, Inc “3-D scans reveal secrets of extinct creatures,” Alexandra Witze, Science News, October 2014 Reprinted with permission of Science News for Students “Hush, humans, We’re trying to survive here,” by Susan Milius, Science News, 21 February 2015 Reprinted with permission of Science News for Students “Highway bridge noise can disturb fish’s hearing,” by Susan Milius, Science News, February 2015 Reprinted with permission of Science News for Students Civilisation by Kenneth Clark Copyright © 1969 by Kenneth C Clark http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_2 6.html (accessed July 30, 2015) This Indian Country: American Indian Political Activists and the Place They Made by Frederick E Hoxie Copyright © 2012, Penguin Books, New York Take Time for Paradise © 1989 by the Estate of A Bartlett Giamatti From City: Rediscovering the Center by William H Whyte Copyright © 1988 by William H Whyte First published by Doubleday in 1988 Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery by Richard Selzer Copyright © 1974, 1975, 1976, 1987 by Richard Selzer The Press and the Presidency by John Tebbel and Sarah Miles Watts Copyright © 1985, Oxford University Press, New York An Analysis of the President-Press Relationship in Solo and Joint Press Conferences in the First Term of President George W Bush, A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Mass Communication in The Manship School of Mass Communication, by Susan Billingsley, May 2006 “The facts behind the frack: Scientists weigh in on the hydraulic fracturing debate,” by Rachel Ehrenberg, Science News, 24 August 2012 Reprinted with permission of Science News for Students Excerpt from pp 141–142 from I Love Paul Revere, Whether He Rode or Not by Richard Shenkman Copyright © 1991 by Richard Shenkman “Sleep: The Brain’s Housekeeper?” by Emily Underwood, Science 18 October 2013 Reprinted with permission from AAAS “Dinosaur metabolism neither hot nor cold, but just right,” by Michael Balter, Science, 13 June 2014 Reprinted with permission from AAAS Excerpts from pp 140–141 from The Indian in America (New American Nation Series) by Wilcomb E Washburn Copyright ©1975 by Wilcomb E Washburn Athabasca by Alistair MacLean Copyright © 1980 by Alistair MacLean “Brains may be wired to count calories, make healthy choices: Constant exposure to high-calorie foods can disrupt metabolic memory, study of fruit flies suggests,” by Ashley Yeager, Science News blog, April 2015 Reprinted with permission of Science News for Students “For healthy eating, timing matters: Limiting mealtimes to a 12-hour period per day helps fruit flies hearts,” by Tina Hesman Saey, Science News, April 2015 Reprinted with permission of Science News for Students “Symbolic Nature of Dreams” by Erich Fromm in Language: An Enquiry into Its Meaning and Function by Ruth Nanda Anshen, Ed Copyright © 1957 Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers “The Spider and the Wasp” by Alexander Petrunkevitch Reproduced with permission Copyright © 1952 Scientific American, a division of Nature America, Inc All rights reserved “The Canopy of the Tropical Rain Forest” by Donald R Perry Reproduced with permission Copyright © 1984 Scientific American, a division of Nature America, Inc All rights reserved “Elucidating Epiphyte Diversity” by Andrew M Sugden, Science May 2011 Reprinted with permission from AAAS ON THE ONLINE TESTS Practice Test From Chicano English in Context by Carmen Fought Copyright © 2003 by Palgrave Macmillan Excerpts from pp 119, 123–126 from Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters by Annie Dillard Copyright © 1982 by Annie Dillard Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers From “Now—asteroid-caused extinctions,” Science News, Vol 117 #2, January 12, 1980 From “‘Mass extinction’ vivifies the science of die-offs,” by Erin Wayman, Science News, November 29, 2014 The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson, Vintage Books, a Division of Random House, Inc., New York, Copyright © 2010, First Vintage Books Edition, October 2011, pp 8–11 Practice Test From Black Boy by Richard Wright Copyright 1937, 1942, 1944, 1945 by Richard Wright; renewed © 1973 by Ellen Wright (HarperCollins Publishers) From The Waning of the Middle Ages by J Huizinga Anchor Books, 1954 Excerpt from pp 17–19 from King Solomon’s Ring by Konrad Z Lorenz Copyright © 1952 by Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc “Introduction” from Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West by Dee Brown Copyright © 1970 by Dee Brown (Henry Holt and Company, New York) From “Ground Water and Surface Water A Single Resource,” by T.C Winter, J.W Harvey, O.L Franke, and W.M Alley, U.S Geological Survey Circular 1139, U.S Department of the Interior, U.S Geological Survey, URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sbin:/usr/sbin:/bin:/usr/bin (accessed June 9, 2015) From “Beneath California Crops, Groundwater Crisis Grows” by Justin Gillis and Matt Richtel Copyright © 2015 by The New York Times Company NOTE Link information for the two online practice tests can be found in the beginning of this book Practice tests can be accessed on all mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones ... Andrew, and Eloise for all of your love and support B.W.S ABOUT THE AUTHORS Sharon Green started helping prepare students for the PSAT and SAT as a 13-year-old assistant at her father’s college... Practice for the PSAT/NMSQT, and Barron’s New SAT Reading Workbook You can connect with Brian at www.bwseducationconsulting.com © Copyright 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008 by Barron’s Educational... 2017 Contents Preface SAT Format and Test Dates Countdown to the SAT Acknowledgments PART ONE: GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE SAT Introduction: Let’s Look at the SAT What Is the SAT? What Is Score Choice?